An Irish delegation to Baghdad has met the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Dr Naji Sabri, and discussed the possibility of a peace mission to Iraq in the hope of averting war.
The exchange "went very well", according to the Labour foreign affairs spokesman Mr Michael D. Higgins. "It was positive and detailed" and covered the issues of "the catastrophic consequences of sanctions, the bombing of the 'no fly zones', and the tragic impact of a war on the international community and the Iraqi people".
The delegation also includes Fianna Fáil Senator Mr Michael Kitt, Mr Pádraig Allen, of the committee's secretariat, Mr Dominic Mac Sorley of Concern Worldwide, Mr Ray Jordan of GOAL, and Mr David Horgan of Petrez Resources. They met for an hour on Saturday with Dr Sabri.
Mr Higgins said, "We are in the early stages of a propaganda war" which neither can afford to lose because it could lead to full-scale conflict.
Mr Higgins and Mr Kitt discussed the proposal now being circulated for the dispatch of a mission of eminent persons to Baghdad to address the issues of disarmament, regional security, human rights and economic sanctions. Amongst the personalities who have been mentioned as possible members of this mission are the South Africans, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former president, Mr Nelson Mandela. Mr Higgins proposed the former US President, Mr Jimmy Carter, last year's Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Dr Sabri told them that "Iraq would have no difficulty with such a mission" which would have as its objective the unlocking of the impasse. Mr Higgins cited the positive example of Northern Ireland where Scandinavia mediators achieved progress on the weapons side while the US assisted on the political front.
Iraq, Dr Sabri stated, has made considerable progress on the first three issues. He reiterated Iraq's position that its banned weapons of mass destruction have been, essentially, eliminated and that Baghdad has been cooperative with the current inspection and monitoring effort. Iraq has also reconciled with its neighbours, he said. On human rights he pointed out that Iraq had abolished special military courts and the exit visa fee. Capital punishment has been frozen and death sentences have been commuted. Many prisoners have been released under amnesties and exiles have been invited to return. He said that Iraq had also invited the UN human rights rapporteur and Amnesty International to visit in August 2002. In spite of progress in these areas sanctions have been tightened rather than eased.
Yesterday the delegation met officials at the trade ministry. Today they expect to hold talks with Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Tareq Aziz.
The Irish visit coincides with the mission of Dr Hans von Sponeck, the former UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, who is here to make practical progress on the plan to bring world figures here to defuse the building crisis. It is hoped this initiative would end the Anglo-US preparations for war and bring about dialogue, he said.